It’s VERSE-O-RAMA 2012 this week on GUWG, where we’re examining some of the world’s favorite Bible verses and the impact they’ve had on people’s lives.
Here’s today’s selection …
Imagine you’re seventeen years old.
You’re hanging out at a lake, enjoying the last days of summer with your friends. You swim out to a raft and warm yourself in the sun. Then you decide to jump back into the water. But you dive in a bit too deeply — your head hits the bottom, you hear a loud SNAP and then everything goes black.
You wake up in a hospital bed, unable to move your arms and legs. The doctor tells you that you’ll probably be that way the rest of your life.
How would you react?
The above story is from the life of Joni Eareckson Tada. Here’s how she reacted …
First, she was angry with God. She felt cheated by life. She could no longer do the things she loved: dancing, playing tennis, riding her horse. Hugely depressed, she asked friends to help her commit suicide. Thankfully, they didn’t listen.
One friend took the time to sit down with Joni and read the Bible with her. It opened Joni’s eyes to a whole new reality beyond her non-functioning limbs. She was awestruck by a Savior who loved her, died for her and saved her.
Joni gave her heart to Jesus and went to to live a life overflowing with love by turning her “disability” into a blessing for others. She has written four dozen inspirational books, hosts a nationally syndicated radio show to encourage those with physical challenges, founded Joni and Friends Ministries to help spread the Gospel, was a presidential appointee to the National Council on Disability, helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and was the first woman named Layperson of the Year by the National Association of Evangelicals. She also became a highly accomplished artist using a paintbrush held between her teeth, as well as a much-sought-after motivational speaker. Her autobiography, Joni, was an international bestseller and was made into a movie that inspired millions.
What’s Joni’s favorite verse?
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken to us by the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Here’s what it means to her:
Just think, every promise God has ever made finds its fulfillment in Jesus. God doesn’t just give us grace, He gives us Jesus, the Lord of Grace. If it’s peace, it’s only found in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Even life itself is found in the Resurrection and the Life.
Christianity isn’t all that complicated … it’s Jesus.
(Quotation from Lamp Unto my Feet by Art Toalston)
Got a favorite verse you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below, tweet me @getupwithgod or email me at getupwithgod@gmail.com. Thanks!
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